One Bad Pig beat the "sophomore jinx" in a big and fast way! "See Me Sweat" comes screaming off at track one to tell everyone that this band can't be taken as a novelty act anymore. This album smokes! The creativity behind this effort surpassed all my expectations set by Smash, which was a great record in its own right. Mr. Smiley really puts a flame on the undersides of these pigs and lets 'em squeal with unrelenting passion and energy. The mix is fabulous - there is really good separation between each instrument. One thing that really stands out is the blazing drumming by Phillip Owens. The guest appearances by guitar giants Dann Huff and Phil Keaggy just make a great album greater. The Pig carves out an even larger identity of their own with this release - even though they take a competent stab at The Cult's sound on "Red River". As with previous Pig material, there's plenty of urgent cries for and from the heart of God; and plenty of dry, witty, and silly humor. "Bowl of Wrath" is a tongue-in-cheek sermon warning against taking the judgement of God lightly. There's a parody of Superman at the end of the title track. "Big Stomach" draws the comparison of the travail of a woman in labor with the travail of giving birth to a vision God's provided. The funny part is the Aunt Jemimah-style cry of "Miss Scarlet, Miss Scarlet, I don't know nothing about birthing no babies!" Extra unexpected Pig surprises are a rap by Tommy Sims in the rockin' "Desperation"; the smooch in "Judas' Kiss" (which is a jammin', thrashin' performance); and the cover of Larry Norman's "Christmastime". Every track on this 13-song album is a winner - even the ballad. What? A ballad on a Pig album? Yesiree! A haunting saga about the suffering of our Messiah. The album ends with a mini-sermon on the kingdom of God/righteousness, peace, & joy, as "We Want You" fades out. Definitely a must-have for any collector of serious rock and roll (We be even Willis).
Similar sounding releases
1986Barren CrossRock for the King
1997TourniquetCrawl to China
1989BrideSilence Is Madness
1985PhiladelphiaSearch and Destroy
1997Paupers FieldVoice
1995The BlamedFrailMore from One Bad Pig
1992Live: Blow the House Down
1991I Scream Sunday
1992Live: Blow the House Down (Video)
1989Smash
The Quintessential One Bad Pig, Vol. I
